(Newser)
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The US Supreme Court ruled that a trial for two sheriff's deputies who shot a man at his Florida home should go forward, the Christian Science Monitor reports. Robert Swofford seemed to be a pretty lucky guy—he'd won $60 million in the Florida lottery two years before a tracking dog in pursuit of carjackers mistakenly led cops to his house in April 2006. Swofford, a former Special Forces captain armed with a pistol, confronted the officers—by saying "halt," he claims, though the deputies say he raised his gun—and was shot seven times.

Swofford's suit alleges that he was shot twice, then heard a voice yell "Seminole County Sheriff’s Office"—before more shots rang out. The deputies claim to have identified themselves first, but a radio log made from their open radios shows no such thing—and, curiously, police destroyed the radios, weapons, and other evidence related to the shooting. The officers' countersuit had sought protection from a jury trial for charges of excessive force, under the doctrine of qualified immunity, but the US Supreme Court, ruling today, disagreed. The trial will move forward.

"...curiously, police destroyed the radios, weapons, and other evidence related to the shooting..." Are you alleging corruption in Florida? A god-fearing, bible-belt state? Of all places??? I'm just shocked and appalled. What would Jesus have to say about that?

Riffran

Jan 25, 2011 1:47 AM CST

cops just like other people in the public service arena are for the most part thought of as professionals. That being said, professionals should be held to higher standards to justify the trust they are supposed to engender. IF they did as the story indicates they should be held severely and harshly accountable.

finkster

Jan 25, 2011 1:26 AM CST

Blam...Blam..."Seminole County Sheriff’s Office"...Blam..Blam...Blam..Blam...Blam...should we shoot him in the head? Naahh...he's not gonna make it.